Stacked polarizer hyperspectral imaging

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatuses and methods for stacked polarizer hyperspectral imaging. In a number of embodiments, a method can include passing a light source input through a lens and a hyperspectral sensor, activating a first polarization layer of a plurality of polarization layers, detecting a first hyperspectral image with an array of pixels from the light source input that is polarized when passed through the first polarization layer, and determining, via a controller coupled to the array of pixels, whether a quality of the first hyperspectral image that was polarized by the first polarization layer meets a threshold. A stacked polarizer can include a plurality of polarizers that are stacked upon each other such that a hyperspectral light source input can be pass through the stack of polarizers and be detected by a pixel of an image sensor cell. Each of the polarizers in the stack of polarizers can be individually activated and deactivated.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses, non-transitorymachine-readable media, and methods for stacked polarizer hyperspectralimaging.

BACKGROUND

Images can be captured by an imaging system that can include lightcapturing devices such as lenses and the imaging system converts thelight to electrical signals that is stored and viewed on computingdevices as an image. A computing device is a mechanical or electricaldevice that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in theperformance of human tasks. Examples include thin clients, personalcomputers, printing devices, laptops, mobile devices (e.g., e-readers,tablets, smartphones, etc.), internet-of-things (IoT) enabled devices,and gaming consoles, among others. An IoT enabled device can refer to adevice embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and/ornetwork connectivity which enable such devices to connect to a networkand/or exchange data. Examples of IoT enabled devices include mobilephones, smartphones, tablets, phablets, computing devices, implantabledevices, vehicles, home appliances, smart home devices, monitoringdevices, wearable devices, devices enabling intelligent shoppingsystems, among other cyber-physical systems.

A computing device can include sensors, such as an image sensor, tocapture image data and a display used to view images and/or text. Thedisplay can be a touchscreen display that serves as an input device.When a touchscreen display is touched by a finger, digital pen (e.g.,stylus), or other input mechanism, associated data can be received bythe computing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram in the form of an apparatus havinga display, an image sensor, a memory device, and a controller inaccordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an image sensor including anarray of image sensor cells in accordance with a number of embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an image sensor cell inaccordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a stacked polarizer inaccordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is flow diagram illustrating an example stacked polarizer imagingprocess in accordance with a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is flow diagram representing an example method for stackedpolarizer imaging in accordance with a number of embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatuses and methodsfor stacked polarizer hyperspectral imaging. In a number of embodiments,a method can include passing a light source input through a lens and ahyperspectral sensor, activating a first polarization layer of aplurality of polarization layers, detecting a first hyperspectral imagewith an array of pixels from the light source input that is polarizedwhen passed through the first polarization layer, and determining, via acontroller coupled to the array of pixels, whether a quality of thefirst hyperspectral image that was polarized by the first polarizationlayer meets a threshold. A stacked polarizer can include a plurality ofpolarizers that are stacked upon each other such that a hyperspectrallight source input can be pass through the stack of polarizers and bedetected by a pixel of an image sensor cell. Each of the polarizers inthe stack of polarizers can be individually activated and deactivated.For example, in an array of image sensor cells, a first polarizer ofeach image sensor cell can be activated and the other polarizers can bedeactivated such that a hyperspectral light source input can passthrough the stack of polarizers and be polarized by the first polarizerand image sensor cells can capture a hyperspectral image that ispolarized with the first polarizer. This process can continue byactivating a second polarizer of each image sensor cell and deactivatingthe other polarizers, such that a hyperspectral image that is polarizedwith the second polarizer can be captured.

A stacked polarizer can be used to capture hyperspectral images withdifferent polarizations, while not increasing the footprint of an imagesensor. The hyperspectral sensor and the stacked polarizer can bepositioned in front of a pixel of an image sensor cell to capturepolarized hyperspectral images and have a footprint that is no largerthan the pixel.

As used herein, designators such as “N,” “M,” etc., particularly withrespect to reference numerals in the drawings, indicate that a number ofthe particular feature so designation can be included. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” caninclude both singular and plural referents, unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. In addition, “a number of,” “at least one,” and “oneor more” (e.g., a number of memory devices) can refer to one or morememory devices, whereas a “plurality of” is intended to refer to morethan one of such things. Furthermore, the words “can” and “may” are usedthroughout this application in a permissive sense (i.e., having thepotential to, being able to), not in a mandatory sense (i.e., must). Theterm “include,” and derivations thereof, means “including, but notlimited to.” The terms “coupled,” and “coupling” mean to be directly orindirectly connected physically or for access to and movement(transmission) of commands and/or data, as appropriate to the context.The terms “data” and “data values” are used interchangeably herein andcan have the same meaning, as appropriate to the context.

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the firstdigit or digits correspond to the figure number and the remaining digitsidentify an element or component in the figure. Similar elements orcomponents between different figures can be identified by the use ofsimilar digits. For example, 120 can reference element “20” in FIG. 1,and a similar element can be referenced as 220 in FIG. 2. As will beappreciated, elements shown in the various embodiments herein can beadded, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number ofadditional embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, theproportion and/or the relative scale of the elements provided in thefigures are intended to illustrate certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram in the form of a computing systemincluding an apparatus 100 having a display 102, an image sensor 120, amemory device 104, and a controller 110 (e.g., a processor, controlcircuitry, hardware, firmware, and/or software) in accordance with anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure. The memory device 104,in some embodiments, can include a non-transitory machine readablemedium (MRM) configured to store instructions that can be executed bycontroller 110 to perform embodiments of the present disclosure.

The apparatus 100 can be a computing device and, for instance, thedisplay 102 may be a touchscreen display of a mobile device such as asmartphone. The controller 110 can be communicatively coupled to thememory device 104, image sensor 120, and/or the display 102. As usedherein, “communicatively coupled” can include coupled via various wiredand/or wireless connections between devices such that data can betransferred in various directions between the devices. The coupling neednot be a direct connection, and in some examples, can be an indirectconnection.

The memory device 104 can include non-volatile or volatile memory. Forexample, non-volatile memory can provide persistent data by retainingwritten data when not powered, and non-volatile memory types can includeNAND flash memory, NOR flash memory, read only memory (ROM),Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), Erasable ProgrammableROM (EPROM), and Storage Class Memory (SCM) that can include resistancevariable memory, such as phase change random access memory (PCRAM),three-dimensional cross-point memory (e.g., 3D XPoint™), resistiverandom access memory (RRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM),magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), and programmableconductive memory, among other types of memory. Volatile memory canrequire power to maintain its data and can include random-access memory(RAM), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), and static random accessmemory (SRAM), among others. Memory device 104 can include an array ofmemory cells 106 configured to store bits of data and control circuitry108 configured to perform operations on the memory device 104 (e.g.,read, write, erase bits of data in the array of memory cells 106).

Apparatus 100 can include an image sensor 120. For example, image sensor120 can be part of a camera of a mobile device. The image sensor 120 cangenerate images (video, text, etc.) which can be visible on the display102. Image sensor 120 can include a stack polarizer that includes anumber of polarizers that can be used individually or in combination topolarize a light source input for the image sensor to capture polarizedimage data. Additionally, the image sensor 120 can capture and/orreceive input from objects, people, items, etc. and transmit that inputto the controller 110 to be analyzed. In some examples, the imagessensor 120 can be part of a camera and can provide input to thecontroller 110, such as facial recognition input. For example, thedisplay 102 can be a portion of a mobile device including a camera(e.g., a smartphone). Image sensor 120 can capture hyperspectral imagedata using a hyperspectral sensor that is included in each image sensorcell. The hyperspectral sensor can capture hyperspectral image data thatincludes spatial and spectral data such that each pixel of an imagerepresents a continuous radiance and/or reflectance spectrum.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an image sensor 220 including anarray of image sensor cells 221 in accordance with a number ofembodiments of the present disclosure. The array of image sensor cells221 can include a portion including an array of hyperspectral sensors228 (e.g., hyperspectral sensor layer), an array of lenses 222 (e.g.,lens layer), stacked polarizers comprising a portion including an arrayof first polarizers 224-1 (e.g., first polarization layer), a portionincluding an array of second polarizers 224-2 (e.g., second polarizationlayer), a portion including an array of third polarizers 224-3 (e.g.,third polarization layer), a portion including an array of fourthpolarizers 224-4 (e.g., fourth polarization layer), and a portionincluding an array of pixels 226 (e.g., pixel layer). Each array ofhyperspectral sensors, lenses, first polarizers, second polarizers,third polarizer, fourth polarizers, and pixels can include a number ofrows 141-1, . . . , 141-M and a number of columns 140-1, . . . , 140-N,where the array of image sensor cells 221 includes N×M image sensorcells. For example, each image sensor cell of the array of image sensorcells 221 includes a hyperspectral sensor, a lens, a first polarizer, asecond polarizer, a third polarizer, a fourth polarizer, and a pixel. Asshown in FIG. 2, an image sensor cell at the intersection of column 2and row 2 is shaded and includes hyperspectral sensor, a lens, a firstpolarizer, a second polarizer, a third polarizer, a fourth polarizer,and a pixel.

In a number of embodiments, the array of first, second, third, andfourth polarizer layers can each include a plurality (e.g., N×M) ofpolarizers that are associated with image sensor cells, such that eachimage sensor cell can include a first polarizer, a second polarizer, athird polarizer, and a fourth polarizer that can each be individuallyactivated and deactivated.

The array of pixels can be configured to capture hyperspectral imagedata. For example, hyperspectral sensor can generate hyperspectral lightsource inputs that can be polarized by the stacked polarizer. The pixelsin the array of pixels can capture the polarized hyperspectral lightsource inputs to capture hyperspectral polarized image data. Forexample, the array of image sensor cells includes a first portion ofpixels configured to detect image data within a first range ofwavelengths, a second portion of pixels configured to detect image datawithin a second range of wavelengths, and a third portion of pixelsconfigured to detect image data within a third range of wavelengths.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an image sensor cell 327 inaccordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. Forexample, image sensor cell 327 can be from an array of image sensorcells (e.g. array of image sensor cells 221 in FIG. 2). The image sensorcell 327 can include a lens 322, a hyperspectral sensor 328, a stackedpolarizer 323, and a pixel 326. Lens 322 can be configured to direct andfocus a light source through hyperspectral sensor 328 and stackedpolarizer 323 and onto a photo diode portion of pixel 326. Stackedpolarizer 323 can include a first polarizer 324-1, a second polarizer324-2, a third polarizer 324-3, and a fourth polarizer 324-4. Firstpolarizer 324-1, second polarizer 324-2, third polarizer 324-3, andfourth polarizer 324-4 can be coupled to controller 310 and can beconfigured to receive signals from controller 310 to activate anddeactivate the polarizers.

In a number of embodiments, controller 310 can send a signal or signalsto individually activate and/or deactivate the first, second, third, andfourth polarizers. For example, the first polarizer 324-1 can beactivated and the second, third, and fourth polarizers 324-2, 324-3, and324-4 can be deactivated. A hyperspectral light source generated byhyperspectral sensor 328 can pass through the activated first polarizer324-1 and deactivated second, third, and fourth polarizers 324-2, 324-3,and 324-4 and the first polarizer 324-1 can polarize the light sourceand the pixel 326 can detect the light source and generate image datarepresenting the light source. Hyperspectral sensor 328 can generate ahyperspectral light source based on wavelength hyperspectral scanning,line hyperspectral scanning, and/or single shot hyperspectral scanning,among other types of hyperspectral imaging types. Hyperspectral sensorcan generate a hyperspectral light source inputs with a plurality ofwavelengths such that each pixel can detect an image that represents acontinuous radiance and/or reflectance spectrum. The image datarepresenting the light source can be hyperspectral image data sent tothe controller 310 for further processing, such as analyzing the qualityof the image data, and then can be sent to a memory device (e.g., memory104 in FIG. 1) to store bits representing the image data. In a number ofembodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth polarizers 324-1324-2, 324-3, and 324-4 can be deactivated, and pixel 326 can detect thelight source and generate unpolarized image data.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a stacked polarizer inaccordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.Stacked polarizer 423 can include a first polarizer 424-1, a secondpolarizer 424-2, a third polarizer 424-3, and a fourth polarizer 424-4.First polarizer 424-1 can be configured to polarize light sources at 0°,second polarizer 424-2 can be configured to polarize light sources at45°, third polarizer 424-3 can be configured to polarize light at 90°,and fourth polarizer 424-4 can be configured to polarize light at 135°.Stacked polarizer can include any number of polarizers that can beconfigured to polarize light sources at any angle. Stacked polarizer 423can include a number of polarizers that are coupled to a controller toindividually activate and deactivate the number of polarizers. In anumber of embodiments, a stacked polarizer can include any number ofpolarizers. For example, a stacked polarizer could include 2 polarizersor 5 polarizers, among any other number of polarizers. Also, thepolarizers can be configured to polarize light at any degree and are notlimited to 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135°.

FIG. 5 is flow diagram illustrating an example stacked polarizer imagingprocess in accordance with a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In FIG. 5, an image sensor can receive a light source input.The image sensor cells of the image sensor can be used to capture imagedata to represent the image based on the light source input. The lightsource input can be passed through lens 522 and hyperspectral sensor528. Hyperspectral sensor 528 can generate a hyperspectral lights sourceinput that is passed to the polarizers. First polarizer 524-1 can beactivated to polarize the hyperspectral light source input and the imagesensor cell can generate hyperspectral image data that represents aportion of an image based on the light source input. The hyperspectralimage data can be sent to a controller (e.g. controller 110 in FIG. 1and/or controller 310 in FIG. 3) to determine if the pixel quality is ok530-1 (e.g., pixel quality meets a threshold). If it is determined thatthe pixel quality is ok, the pixel data is stored 532-1 in a memorydevice (e.g., memory device 104 in FIG. 1). If it is determined that thepixel quality is not ok, the pixel data is discarded (e.g., not storedin a memory device. Pixel quality can be based on an intensity of thepixel, which can be measured by a voltage in the image sensor and/orluminance of the display. Pixel quality can also be based on the colorgamut, Strehl ratio, among other pixel quality metrics.

Once a determination regarding pixel quality is made for image datapolarized with the first polarizer 524-1, second polarizer 524-2 can beactivated to polarize the hyperspectral light source input and the imagesensor cell can generate hyperspectral image data that represents aportion of an image based on the light source input. The hyperspectralimage data can be sent to a controller (e.g. controller 110 in FIG. 1and/or controller 310 in FIG. 3) to determine if the pixel quality is ok530-2 (e.g., pixel quality meets a threshold). If it is determined thatthe pixel quality is ok, the pixel data is stored 532-2 in a memorydevice (e.g., memory device 104 in FIG. 1). If it is determined that thepixel quality is not ok, the pixel data is discarded (e.g., not storedin a memory device).

Once a determination regarding pixel quality is made for image datapolarized with the second polarizer 524-2, third polarizer 524-3 can beactivated to polarize the hyperspectral light source input and the imagesensor cell can generate hyperspectral image data that represents aportion of an image based on the light source input. The hyperspectralimage data can be sent to a controller (e.g. controller 110 in FIG. 1and/or controller 310 in FIG. 3) to determine if the pixel quality is ok530-3 (e.g., pixel quality meets a threshold). If it is determined thatthe pixel quality is ok, the pixel data is stored 532-3 in a memorydevice (e.g., memory device 104 in FIG. 1). If it is determined that thepixel quality is not ok, the pixel data is discarded (e.g., not storedin a memory device). If it is determined that the pixel quality if notok, a controller can be configured to interpolate pixel data based ondata from nearby pixels.

Once a determination regarding pixel quality is made for image datapolarized with the third polarizer 524-3, fourth polarizer 524-4 can beactivated to polarize the hyperspectral light source input and the imagesensor cell can generate hyperspectral image data that represents aportion of an image based on the light source input. The hyperspectralimage data can be sent to a controller (e.g. controller 110 in FIG. 1and/or controller 310 in FIG. 3) to determine if the pixel quality is ok530-4 (e.g., pixel quality meets a threshold). If it is determined thatthe pixel quality is ok, the pixel data is stored 532-4 in a memorydevice (e.g., memory device 104 in FIG. 1). If it is determined that thepixel quality is not ok, the pixel data is discarded (e.g., not storedin a memory device). In a number of embodiments, if it is determinedthat the pixel quality is not ok, a controller can be configured tointerpolate pixel data based on data from nearby pixels.

FIG. 6 is flow diagram representing an example method for stackedpolarizer imaging in accordance with a number of embodiments of thepresent disclosure. At step 650, the method can include activating afirst polarization layer of a plurality of polarization layers. Thefirst polarization layer can be activated by a number of signals from acontroller, while the other polarization layers are deactivated.

At step 652, the method can include transmitting light from ahyperspectral light source through the first polarization layer. Ahyperspectral sensor can generate a hyperspectral light source inputfrom a light source input.

At step 654, the method can include detecting a first hyperspectralimage with an array of pixels from the light that is polarized whenpassed through the first polarization layer.

At step 656, the method can include storing data representing the firsthyperspectral image in a memory device based at least in part ondetermining, via a controller coupled to the array of pixels, whether aquality of the first hyperspectral image that was polarized by the firstpolarization layer meets a threshold. The controller can be configuredto analyze the quality of the first hyperspectral image to determinewhether or not to save the image in a memory device. If the firsthyperspectral image meets a threshold, the first hyperspectral image canbe saved in a memory device. If the first hyperspectral image does notmeet a threshold, the first hyperspectral image can be discarded. Thequality analysis by the controller can also be done on the pixel level,where the quality of each pixel in an array of image sensor cells isanalyzed and the pixels the meet the threshold are saved to represent animage, while the pixels that do not meet the threshold are discarded.The discarded pixels can be replaced with pixel data that isinterpolated by nearby pixels of the image.

The method can continue for the second polarization layer and can alsoinclude activating a second polarization layer of a plurality ofpolarization layers. The second polarization layer can be activated by anumber of signals from a controller, while the other polarization layersare deactivated. The method can include detecting a second hyperspectralimage with an array of pixels from a hyperspectral light source inputthat is polarized when passed through the second polarization layer. Themethod can include determining, via a controller coupled to the array ofpixels, whether a quality of the second hyperspectral image that waspolarized by the second polarization layer meets a threshold. Thecontroller can be configured to analyze the quality of the secondhyperspectral image to determine whether or not to save the image in amemory device. If the second hyperspectral image meets a threshold, thesecond hyperspectral image can be saved in a memory device. If thesecond hyperspectral image does not meet a threshold, the secondhyperspectral image can be discarded.

The method can continue for third polarization layer and can alsoinclude activating a third polarization layer of a plurality ofpolarization layers. The third polarization layer can be activated by anumber of signals from a controller, while the other polarization layersare deactivated. The method can include detecting a third hyperspectralimage with an array of pixels from a light source input that ispolarized when passed through the third polarization layer. The methodcan include determining, via a controller coupled to the array ofpixels, whether a quality of the third hyperspectral image that waspolarized by the third polarization layer meets a threshold. Thecontroller can be configured to analyze the quality of the thirdhyperspectral image to determine whether or not to save the image in amemory device. If the third hyperspectral image meets a threshold, thethird hyperspectral image can be saved in a memory device. If the thirdhyperspectral image does not meet a threshold, the third hyperspectralimage can be discarded.

The method can continue for fourth polarization layer and can alsoinclude activating a fourth polarization layer of a plurality ofpolarization layers. The fourth polarization layer can be activated by anumber of signals from a controller, while the other polarization layersare deactivated. The method can include detecting a fourth hyperspectralimage with an array of pixels from a light source input that ispolarized when passed through the fourth polarization layer. The methodcan include determining, via a controller coupled to the array ofpixels, whether a quality of the fourth hyperspectral image that waspolarized by the fourth polarization layer meets a threshold. Thecontroller can be configured to analyze the quality of the fourthhyperspectral image to determine whether or not to save the image in amemory device. If the fourth hyperspectral image meets a threshold, thefourth hyperspectral image can be saved in a memory device. If thefourth hyperspectral image does not meet a threshold, the fourthhyperspectral image can be discarded.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that anarrangement calculated to achieve the same results can be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coveradaptations or variations of one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. It is to be understood that the above description has beenmade in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combinationof the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specificallydescribed herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art uponreviewing the above description. The scope of the one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure includes other applications inwhich the above structures and processes are used. Therefore, the scopeof one or more embodiments of the present disclosure should bedetermined with reference to the appended claims, along with the fullrange of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, some features are groupedtogether in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the disclosed embodiments of the presentdisclosure have to use more features than are expressly recited in eachclaim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matterlies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus,the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: activating a firstpolarization layer of a plurality of polarization layers via a firstsignal from a controller coupled to the plurality of polarization layersand deactivating a second polarization layer of the plurality ofpolarization layers via a second signal, wherein the first polarizationlayer that polarizes light at a first degree that is different from thesecond polarization layer that polarizes light at a second degree;transmitting light from a hyperspectral light source through the firstpolarization layer and the second polarization layer; detecting a firsthyperspectral image with an array of pixels from the light that ispolarized only by the first polarization layer that is activated by thefirst signal when the light is passed through the first polarizationlayer and the second polarization layer that is deactivated by thesecond signal; and discarding data representing the first hyperspectralimage based at least in part on determining, via the controller coupledto the array of pixels, that a quality of the first hyperspectral imagethat was polarized by the first polarization layer does not meet athreshold; deactivating the first polarization layer and activating thesecond polarization layer of the plurality of polarization layers;transmitting the light from the hyperspectral light source through thefirst polarization layer and the second polarization layer; detecting asecond hyperspectral image with the array of pixels from the light thatis polarized only by the second polarization layer when the light ispassed through the first polarization layer and the second polarizationlayer, and storing data representing the second hyperspectral image in amemory device based at least in part on determining, via the controllercoupled to the array of pixels, that a quality of the secondhyperspectral image that was polarized by the second polarization layermeets the threshold.
 2. The method of claim 1, further saving the firsthyperspectral image in the memory device in response to the quality ofthe first hyperspectral image meeting the threshold.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further including deactivating the first and secondpolarization layers and activating a third polarization layer of theplurality of polarization layers.
 4. The method of claim 3, furtherincluding deactivating the first, second, and third polarization layersand activating a fourth polarization layer of the plurality ofpolarization layers.
 5. An apparatus, comprising: an array of imagesensor cells, wherein each image sensor cell of the array of imagesensor cells includes: a hyperspectral sensor coupled to a controlcircuitry; a first polarization layer, a second polarization layer, athird polarization layer, a fourth polarization layer, wherein thefirst, second, third, and fourth polarization layers are coupled to thecontrol circuitry; and a pixel coupled to the control circuitry, whereinthe control circuitry is configured to: activate the first polarizationlayer of the each image sensor cell of the array of image sensor cellsvia a first signal from the control circuitry, while the second, third,and fourth polarization layers of each image sensor cells of the arrayof image sensor cells are deactivated via a second number of signalsfrom the control circuitry, and cause the array of image sensor cells todetect a first hyperspectral image polarized with only the firstpolarization layer in response to a light source passing through thefirst, second, third, and fourth polarization layers; activate thesecond polarization layer of the each image sensor cell of the array ofimage sensor cells, while the first, third, and fourth polarizationlayers of each image sensor cell of the array of image sensor cells aredeactivated, and cause the array of image sensor cells to detect asecond hyperspectral image polarized with only the second polarizationlayer in response to the light source passing through the first, second,third, and fourth polarization layers; activate the third polarizationlayer of the each image sensor cell of the array of image sensor cells,while the first, second, and fourth polarization layers of each imagesensor cell of the array of image sensor cells are deactivated, andcause the array of image sensor cells to detect a third hyperspectralimage polarized with only the third polarization layer in response tothe light source passing through the first, second, third, and fourthpolarization layers; and activate the fourth polarization layer of theeach image sensor cell of the array of image sensor cells, while thefirst, second, and third polarization layers of each image sensor cellof the array of image sensor cells are deactivated, and cause the arrayof image sensor cells to detect a fourth hyperspectral image polarizedwith only the fourth polarization layer in response to the light sourcepassing through the first, second, third, and fourth polarizationlayers, wherein the first, second, and third hyperspectral images arediscarded in response to a pixel quality of the first, second, and thirdhyperspectral images being below a threshold quality; and wherein thefourth hyperspectral image is stored in a memory device in response to apixel quality of the fourth hyperspectral image being above thethreshold quality.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the array ofimage sensor cells includes a first portion of the array of the imagesensor cells configured to detect image data within a first range ofwavelengths, a second portion of the array of image sensor cellsconfigured to detected image data within a second range wavelengths, anda third portion of the array configured to detect image data within athird range of wavelengths.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein theapparatus is configured to detect hyperspectral images.
 8. The apparatusof claim 5, wherein the first polarization layer is configured topolarize a light source at 0°, the second polarization layer isconfigured to polarize the light source at 45°, the third polarizationlayer is configured to polarize the light source at 90°, and the fourthpolarization layer is configured to polarize the light source at 135°.9. An apparatus, comprising: a hyperspectral sensor coupled to acontroller; a stacked polarizer including a first polarization layer, asecond polarization layer, a third polarization layer, and a fourthpolarization layer, wherein the first, second, third, and fourthpolarization layers are coupled to the controller; an array of imagesensor cells coupled to the controller; and a memory device coupled tothe controller, wherein the controller is configured to: activate thefirst polarization layer via a first signal from the controller andcause the array of image sensor cells to detect a first hyperspectralimage from a light source input that is polarized only by the firstpolarization layer when passed through the first polarization layer, thesecond polarization layer, the third polarization layer, and the fourthpolarization layer; activate the second polarization layer via a secondsignal from the controller and cause the array of image sensor cells todetect a second hyperspectral image from the light source input that ispolarized only by the second polarization layer when passed through thefirst polarization layer, the second polarization layer, the thirdpolarization layer, and the fourth polarization layer; activate thethird polarization layer via a third signal from the controller andcause the array of image sensor cells to detect a third hyperspectralimage from the light source input that is polarized only by the thirdpolarization layer when passed through the first polarization layer, thesecond polarization layer, the third polarization layer, and the fourthpolarization layer; and activate the fourth polarization layer via afourth signal from the controller and cause the array of image sensorcells to detect a fourth hyperspectral image from the light source inputthat is polarized only by the fourth polarization layer when passedthrough the first polarization layer, the second polarization layer, thethird polarization layer, and the fourth polarization layer, wherein thefirst, second, and third hyperspectral images are discarded in responseto a pixel quality of the first, second, and third hyperspectral imagesbeing below a threshold quality, and wherein the fourth hyperspectralimage is stored in a memory device in response to a pixel quality of thefourth hyperspectral image being above the threshold quality.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the array of image sensor cells includes afirst portion of pixels configured to detect image data within a firstrange of wavelengths, a second portion of pixels configured to detectimage data within a second range of wavelengths, and a third portion ofpixels configured to detect image data within a third range ofwavelengths.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the firstpolarization layer is configured to polarize a light source at 0°, thesecond polarization layer is configured to polarize the light source at45°, the third polarization layer is configured to polarize the lightsource at 90°, and the fourth polarization layer is configured topolarize the light source at 135°.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe controller is configured to deactivate the first, second, third, andfourth polarization layers and cause the array of image sensor cells todetect a fifth image from the light source input that is unpolarizedwhen passed through the first, second, third, and fourth polarizationlayers.